New Line Enrolls in Exorcism School

Adapting upcoming book RiteNew Line Cinema snatched up big screen rights for the upcoming Doubleday book The Rite. Matt Baglio (Possession) signed on board pre-WGA strike to adapt.

Doubleday’s nonfiction book – arriving in 2009 – was penned by Rome-based journalist Matt Baglio. He was allowed to follow a young priest during months of training with a senior exorcist at a school affiliated with the Vatican. “Rite,” the novel, is now subtitled “The Making of a Modern Day Exorcist.”

Fletcher & Parry Films will co-produce with Contrafilm.

Although the book is not finished and the screenplay won’t be completed until after the strike, the film is expected to include scenes of exorcisms based on the priest’s experiences.